Our district YSAs had a great activity today! They met at the high school in Elangeni and hiked Mdzimba Mountain, then walked to the chapel in Ezulwini and had institute and a braai (BBQ).  They had two kinds of meat, pap, salad, chakalaka (baked beans, with grated onions, carrots and a special sauce) and I made chocolate chip coconut oatmeal walnut cookies. They had a great time together! 

About 40 YSAs gathered between 9:30 and 10:30 then headed up the mountain, this morning, following Masebendza Msibi, who was their guide. Our branch president, Manqoba Shongwe and his wife, Pontso, (back row far left) were their chaperones up the mountain. 

(As you can see in the background, it was a foggy morning, but by the time they got to the top it was a very nice, clear day!)  Ü 

Moses Khanyile, one of our Ezulwini YSAs and a counselor in our branch presidency,

relaxing after a long hike to the top! 

The Manzini YSAs on top of the mountain!

Mandla Mantinto, Institute teacher in Mazini, taught the institute lesson to all 

three branches of YSAs. I heard it was great! (I was in the kitchen the whole time.)

The YSAs in the institute class 

(minus the guys out at the braai and the girls in the kitchen.)

We took Amanda Simelane, our Ezulwini YSA Rep, (third from the left) at 9:00 a.m. to cash the branch check and buy all the meat. Then we met the other Reps from Mbabane and Manzini, who had the pap, the lettuce, beans, etc. in Elangeni and we took it all, (as well as everyone's backpacks, purses, and jackets) to our Ezulwini building. Problem was, no one was there for two hours after we got there and we had no key to the building until the elders came and opened the gate and drove to get a key, so we could get in!! Charles Dlamini and his new wife from Durban and Siphiwe got there at 1:00 and started fixing the food until the others returned from the hike at about 2:00 pm. Then Pontso, Gcnile and Fezile (Reps from Mbabane), and Amanda worked hard in the kitchen until the meal was served! 

On Sunday, August 5th, Sister Sibongile Zandamela and her daughter, Padthwakuhle (10) were baptized in Manzini Fairview Branch.  Sister Zandamela asked me to give the talk on Baptism.  (Just before I got up, they announced I would be speaking on Baptism AND the Holy Ghost. I guess the other speaker wasn't there?! We are getting used to these kinds of   surprises! We just never know what we will be expected to do next!) 

We LOVE this family from Siphofaneni, who drive over 45 min. to church each Sunday.  We were blessed to go with Elder Musumhi and Elder Daybell to teach them a few times last month.  Brother Carlos Zandamela has been a member, but has not attended church for many years. It is wonderful for them to all be active in the church.  Sibongile said she always felt there was "something missing" in their life and now she feels "complete"!  

What a HAPPY DAY!! Ü  

I loved the sky on the drive home at 3:15 pm! Ü